Messi collects record seventh Pichichi Trophy

Lionel Messi has received a record seventh Pichichi Trophy after finishing top of the scoring charts in LaLiga Santander in the 2019/20 season.

The Barcelona forward scored 25 goals over the course of the LaLiga Santander campaign, finishing four goals ahead of Karim Benzema in second.

Now that he has his hands on his seventh title, nobody has won more Pichichi trophies than Messi in LaLiga history.

Telmo Zarra won six Pichichi trophies while playing for Athletic Club in the 1940s and 50s, but this seventh one moves Messi out on his own in the all-time standings.

"I want to thank MARCA once again for this award," Messi said after being handed the trophy by MARCA director Juan Ignacio Gallardo.

"It's an honour to have won six Pichichis and overtake Zarra's number, with everything that means. Thank you for the recognition."

Messi won the first of his seven Pichichi award in the 2009/10 season, picking up the prize again in 2011/12, 2012/13, 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19.

Last season's feats also saw the 33-year-old become just the second player in LaLiga history to win four Pichichis in a row after Hugo Sanchez. Of course, if the Argentine wins the trophy again this campaign, he'll make history again.

What's more, Messi has achieved these sorts of numbers in an era also defined by Cristiano Ronaldo, who finished top scorer in LaLiga Santander on three occasions while at Real Madrid.